The Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) TETA Research Chair has achieved remarkable feats in less than four years, showcasing world-class research and skills development in electrical and civil engineering. With two innovations in the pipeline and a total of 10 Honours graduates produced, the Chair has made significant contributions to the field. Six articles have been published in accredited, high-impact journals, and two short-learning programmes (SLPs) in digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI) have been developed, benefiting 80 learners and unemployed youth. Two training programmes on digital transformation for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have also been completed.
The achievements were shared during a research seminar and stakeholder feedback event, which brought together the TUT, its partner the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA), collaborators, and stakeholders. The seminar featured presentations by TUT researchers and academics, partners, and collaborators from the University of Gustave Eiffel (UGE), the French South African Institute of Technology (F'SATI), and the TUT AI Hub of the AI Institute of South Africa. Master's and Doctoral students supported by the Chair and the Postdoctoral Fellow presented their research.
The main aim of the TETA Research Chair, established in 2022, is to assist in developing and embedding digital transformation tools and skills to help with road infrastructure management. The Chair focuses on four components: research and innovation, capacity development of postgraduate students, skills development of secondary school and unemployed youth, and SMME training.
One of the Chair's notable achievements is the development of a low-cost digital diagnostic device for road quality measurement, which assists in road infrastructure management. The device was developed in collaboration with UGE and French industry partner LogiRoad, and was supported by the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi. The University is also working on a multimodal fatigue detection tool to monitor driver fatigue, one of the major causes of accidents on South Africa's roads.
The Chair's work has contributed to six articles in Department of Higher Education and Training-accredited, high-impact journals. A total of 10 Bachelor of Engineering Technology Honours students were supported through the Chair, two of whom have continued to register for their Master's in Electrical Engineering. The Chair also supports three Doctoral students and one Postdoctoral Fellow.
Through the Chair, two SLPs were conducted; one benefitted 80 learners, providing them with a general understanding of AI, while the other targeted unemployed youth by focusing on rapid prototyping to empower them with skills to be self-employed in areas such as cellphone repairs. In addition, two training workshops were held for SMMEs on digital transformation skills.
The achievements of the TETA Research Chair highlight the importance of innovation and resilient infrastructure for inclusive and sustainable development. The Chair's multidisciplinary nature and cross-border collaboration have been commended, and its work has the potential to build a transport sector that is safer, smarter, more efficient, and globally competitive.
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